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6 firefighters hurt in 2nd blast at particle board mill

GAYLORD, MICHIGAN — A second explosion ripped through a mill that produces particle board early Saturday, injuring six firefighters a day after an initial explosion injured nine people.

One firefighter suffered first- and second-degree burns, and five others were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries after the blast at about 12:30 a.m., said David Duffield, chief of the Otsego County Fire Department.

Friday's explosion at the Georgia-Pacific Corp. plant sparked a fire that spread to a silo containing wood chips 20 to 30 feet deep, Duffield said. The firefighters opened the silo to pour water on the flames, and the sudden infusion of oxygen caused the second blast, he said.

By Saturday afternoon, the blaze had been contained to the silo, and automated equipment was pumping water onto the smoldering wood chips, Duffield said.

He said he was not sure when it would be extinguished.

A seventh firefighter suffered a knee injury while battling flames apart from the explosion.

Friday's blast occurred where glue is mixed with wood chips, manager Joe Sims said. The 45 employees working at the time were evacuated.

Four of the workers injured in Friday's explosion were in critical condition Saturday.